TENSION IN EUROPE

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVI, Issue 96, 23 May 1938, Page 3

TENSION IN EUROPE

SHOOTING OF TWO SUDETEN CERMANS TROOPS CONCENTRATE ON FRONTIER. LONDON, May 22. A declaration by the President of Czechoslovakia (Dr. Edouard Benes) that there had been no more critical lime since the Great War, the shooting of two Sudeten Germans by Czech police, a sharp protest by Germany on this incident, feports Ibat Nazi Storm Trooopers are contentrating on the frontier, and a reminder by a spokesman of the British Foreign Office that Britain might become involved in a Central European dispute, have led to an atmosphere of the utmost tension in Europe. The tension all arises from the Czech elections, in which the Sudeten Germans allege that they are not bein? protected by the Czech authorilies. The Sudetens also threaten to cause a breakdown in negotiations by their uncompromising attitude. Two Sudeten German farmers were billed early this morning in the frontier town- of Cheb. They disregarded a noti to stop. The police fired on them. A Sudeten Party declaration renews the demand for freedom of tbouglii in the Press and at public meeting-:, and alleges that the police are not fulfilling a protective role on the occasion of assaults on the Sudetens, whose headquarters are jowgw eded by police and gendarmes. An odieial statement refers to the Another at Cheb. It relates how the Sudeten Germans, George Hofman and Nicholas Boehm, who were riding along on motor cycles, refused to stop then • policeman ordered them. They speeded up and headed for the policetr , who leaped aside and fired ai (he front tyre. The far t that the road rises steeply is belii d to be the reason for the bullet striking the riders, who died it hospital. A criminal charge has ken brmight against the policeman. An olii ial account of an incident it Chon;-iau declares that 300 Sudeten Gc nans unprecedentedly promised fiich troops, shouting offensive sli tans and spitting in their faces. The offending Sudetens indndeil I'H'gomaster Herbricht, who ] spat in : c face of a Czech offieer. ] [err Nemec, a Henlein deputy, in- ] cited an led the crowds in attempt- ; ing to wrench bayonets and rifles from the troops. I Despite the German statement ] that 100 were injured, the official ; itatemcn eontends that only six or j light were slightly hurt and all were j able to walk home. j The Gi-man evening papers de- ] bribe Hofman and Boehm, the vie- ] lints of the Cheb incident, as martyrs Kid use the incident as an opportunity for a fresh frenzied outburst.

The German newspapers print full Ind sensational reports of alleged inridents in Czechoslovakia. In every instance Sudeten Germans are demited as innocent victims. Martial Goering’s newspaper, “National Hung,” declares: “The German people cannot disregard these incidents as accidental outbreaks of Czech ibauvinisnj, but as a planned attack in the rights and very life of Sudeten Germans, for which the Czech Government must be held response. ” The front pages of the morning newspapers carry flaring banner-lines fcrribing ‘ 1 unbearable provocation to the defenceless Sudetens, and Police attacks with firearms and nitres” and generally seek to convey i picture of Czech terrorism. CRITICAL. “There lias been no more critical tine since the Great War,” declared fc President of Czechoslovakia in a speech at Tabor. “We are not u'raid. We are prepared for everything, but we must not permit ourelves to he disunited.” Expressing a hope that war would b avoided, Dr. Benes mentioned the Anglo-French friendship and the Anglo-Italian Agreement as factors promoting peace. FRANCE’S ATTITUDE. IfILL RESPECT ENGAGEMENTS. PARIS, May 22. The Free h Foreign Office spokes*u said:— 'France : .pes for an amicable setllement, but if Germany crosses the frontier it will automatically start 'W, as Fiance will respect her en(Ntemrats to Czechoslovakia if she 8 * victim of aggression.” The Fre-i Foreign Minister (M. Bonnet) conferred with the British ■"•bassadoi ' Sir Eric Phipps) and •Soviet Ambassador (M. Souritz).